Accommodation
The buzz of a new year at uni brings with it the need to find the accommodation that suits you and your life as a student. But as with buying a new pair of jeans, you need to search for the one that fits in all the right places. Finding an apartment as a student can seem daunting at first, especially when moving to another country to study. But we know that a little guide goes a long way and thought it would be helpful to share with you some important things you need to know to make settling in a little less of a hassle.
Organising on-campus accommodation before arriving
A roof over your head in a new environment will make sorting other things more straightforward. Many students overlook this crucial part of moving to the UK to study but it is never too early to find out living arrangements on or off-campus. Some universities provide on-campus accommodation or may provide a list of lettings agents or landlords that are open to non-professional/student tenants. I always recommend on-campus accommodation, wherever possible, at least for the first month or two.
Airbnb has become a very famous option for people moving in to find temporary accommodation. However, this housing option may only be available for the initial period you set or at the owner’s discretion; and you don’t want to be stranded or stressed to find a place under so much pressure along with coursework. Living with roommates/flatmates may be unavoidable in some living situations. Finding out if the accommodation offers en-suite or shared utility options will be important if you are the picky type; you don’t want any surprises of having to share bathrooms with others if you are not comfortable with it.
Paying a Deposit for Your Accommodation
Anticipating having to pay a deposit besides your first rent is worth discussing apart from the accommodation section. Many property managers/accommodation providers will require a fixed-term contract of 6 months to 1 year. Signing a residential contract requires that you pay a deposit, which is paid into the Deposit Protection Scheme by the property manager. The deposit amount is usually determined by the type of property; a rule of thumb is that it is 1.5 times one month’s rent, paid once at the start of your tenancy. In the instance that there is no contract to be signed, there is a risk that you will not be repaid all or part of your deposit-except in unusual circumstances- and this is usually a rude awakening for many students.
Transport from Airport to Campus
Although we are in the age of Uber, Bolt and other transport companies, transportation from the airport to your accommodation is something worth planning thoroughly for. Not only are Ubers pricey because of the distance of airports from residential areas, the quotes found within the apps may also be misleading. Some universities provide free airport pickups as part of their student services. It may be worth finding out if your university provides such services. In the instance that they don’t provide such, some may have taxi companies that partner with the universities, providing students discounts. If the first two options are not feasible, find out from the university or anyone you know that can find out your city’s taxi services that do airport pickups – this usually comes at a fixed cost to/from the airport. Taking the train directly from Heathrow, Gatwick or Stansted airports may be another alternative but you need to travel light if you are considering this option. National Express is the UK’s primary coach service, and you can take this from any of the airports, but you may have to take another bus or taxi your arrival coach station in your city to your residential address.
Bank Accounts
Opening a bank account is one of the most crucial tasks you should sort out, ideally in your first week. You need to do most things like pay your rent without one. Different banks offer different options for students, but it is important to find out any charges associated with whatever type of account you are trying to open. Sometimes, you will need to book an appointment before opening an account, so take that into consideration. I do not believe there is a “best” bank for students, so whatever floats your boat should be your priority. Some people decide based on the distance to campus or student offers that seem nice at the time. I would advise going with whatever bank offers products that are important to you both during and after your studentship. If the bank offers a student account, find out what it will take to open one and take advantage of the opportunity.
Phone plans and Wi-Fi (30-day/1-year SIMO rolling Contracts)
Making phone calls and texting is a part of our life and this is important when settling in. All phone companies offer prepaid (pay-as-you-go) options and this is good to start with. Putting top-ups or call credit on your phone is easily done from the provider’s App or by getting vouchers in stores like Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Boots or most convenience stores. You may want to get a post-pay (pay monthly) 30-day/1-year SIMO (sim only) contract as this usually offers you more data and call minutes to any UK line. Setting up a phone contract also helps you build a good credit history, which is valuable in the UK. You will need to have a proof of address, valid bank account and valid identification (Passport) to set up a pay monthly account. International calls are rarely included, so you may want to stick with WhatsApp or FaceTime for international calls. Wi-Fi may be provided in your accommodation or you may have to arrange for this after a few weeks.
We know this might be a lot to take in at once, so please feel free to ask your questions in the comment section below.
-Written by Tosin and Shola